Blair Niles
Encyclopedia
Blair Niles was an American
novelist and travel writer. She was a founding member of the Society of Woman Geographers
. Blair Niles is a pen name
of Mary Blair Rice, adopted from her late second husband's name, Robert Niles, Jr.
, Niles also wrote under the name of Mary Blair Beebe. She lived among indigenous peoples in Mexico
, South America
, and Southeast Asia
. In 1923 she published Casual Wanderings in Ecuador. Colombia: Land of Miracles followed in 1924, and Peruvian Pageant in 1937. In these books she linked contemporary culture with the past by exploring history, traditions, and legends. She visited the notorious Devil's Island
in 1926 and recorded the life of a prisoner there (René Belbenoit
) in her 1928 best selling biography: Condemned to Devil's Island. The international sensation caused by this book led to prison reforms. Her 1931 book, Strange Brother
, was a gay-themed novel (her only work in that genre) set in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance. In 1944 Blair Niles was awarded the Gold medal of the Society of Woman Geographers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
novelist and travel writer. She was a founding member of the Society of Woman Geographers
Society of Woman Geographers
The Society of Woman Geographers was established in 1925 at a time when women were excluded from membership in most professional organizations, such as the Explorers Club, who would not admit women until 1981....
. Blair Niles is a pen name
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
of Mary Blair Rice, adopted from her late second husband's name, Robert Niles, Jr.
History
The first wife of oceanographer William BeebeWilliam Beebe
William Beebe, born Charles William Beebe was an American naturalist, ornithologist, marine biologist, entomologist, explorer, and author...
, Niles also wrote under the name of Mary Blair Beebe. She lived among indigenous peoples in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. In 1923 she published Casual Wanderings in Ecuador. Colombia: Land of Miracles followed in 1924, and Peruvian Pageant in 1937. In these books she linked contemporary culture with the past by exploring history, traditions, and legends. She visited the notorious Devil's Island
Devil's Island
Devil's Island is the smallest and northernmost island of the three Îles du Salut located about 6 nautical miles off the coast of French Guiana . It has an area of 14 ha . It was a small part of the notorious French penal colony in French Guiana until 1952...
in 1926 and recorded the life of a prisoner there (René Belbenoit
René Belbenoit
René Belbenoit was a French prisoner on Devil's Island who successfully escaped to the United States. He later wrote a book, Dry Guillotine, about his exploits.-Early life:...
) in her 1928 best selling biography: Condemned to Devil's Island. The international sensation caused by this book led to prison reforms. Her 1931 book, Strange Brother
Strange Brother
Strange Brother is a gay novel written by Blair Niles published in 1931. The story is about a platonic relationship between a heterosexual woman and a gay man and takes place in New York City in the late 1920s and early 1930s....
, was a gay-themed novel (her only work in that genre) set in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance. In 1944 Blair Niles was awarded the Gold medal of the Society of Woman Geographers.
Non-Fiction
- Casual Wanderings in Ecuador (1923)
- Colombia: Land Of Miracles (1924)
- Black Haiti: A Biography of Africa's Eldest Daughter (1926)
- Peruvian Pageant, A Journey In Time (1937)
- The James: From Iron Gate to the Sea (1939) (Rivers of America Series)
- Passengers to Mexico: The Last Invasion of the America's (1943)
- Martha's Husband: An Informal Portrait of George Washington (1951)
Fiction
- Condemned to Devil's Island (1928) - turned into the 1929 film CondemnedCondemned (film)Condemned is an American black and white melodrama film. It stars Ronald Colman, Ann Harding, Dudley Digges, Louis Wolheim, William Elmer, and Wilhelm von Brincken. The movie was adapted by Sidney Howard from the novel by Blair Niles. It was directed by Wesley Ruggles...
- Free (1930)
- Strange BrotherStrange BrotherStrange Brother is a gay novel written by Blair Niles published in 1931. The story is about a platonic relationship between a heterosexual woman and a gay man and takes place in New York City in the late 1920s and early 1930s....
(1931) - Maria Paluna (1934)
- Day of the Immense Sun (1936)
- East by Day (1941)